Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds: From Heart Health to Digestion

I often say seeds and nuts are the best forms of medicines. Switch your pills with nuts and seeds and you won’t be sick ever. Seeds are a nutritional boon that protects your body and heals your diseases. One such pack of healthy dose are the nutty sunflower seeds. Check out these amazing Health Benefits of Sunflower Seeds.

Sunflower seeds are very rich in nutrition. 

They contain a high dose of varied nutrients. 

In addition to that, it’s a powerhouse of antioxidizing and anti-inflammatory agents. 

Sunflower seeds neutralize free radicals and control cell damage. This makes it a great food for fighting cancer and HIV. It helps in controlling blood pressure. These natural pills come handy in relieving headaches, promoting healthy teeth and bones. It further reduces inflammation, helps cholesterol management, and aids detoxification. 

Sunflower seeds have a long list of health benefits. 

Also Read: Why should you chew sesame seeds every morning?

Check out some of the most prominent health benefits of sunflower seeds:

9 Surprising Health Benefits of Sunflower seeds

1. It’s an antidote to inflammation

Sunflower seeds have potent anti-inflammatory properties. 

It’s rich in Vitamin E, flavonoids, and other essential plant compounds. Studies say a half cup of sunflower seeds can fulfill 80% of the daily requirement of Vitamin E. This makes it a great aid in curing chronic inflammation.  

Another study said consuming sunflower seeds five times a week resulted in lower levels of inflammation. This showed a reduced risk for chronic diseases. From diabetes to cardiac problems, inflammation is at the root cause.

Also Read: Why should you chew sesame seeds?

2. It can make your heart healthy

The white nutty seeds are super rich in healthy fats. 

Sunflower seeds are a storehouse of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. They contain a high amount of oleic and linoleic acid. It’s also rich in magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

That’s one power dose of nutrition.

Studies report that regular consumption of sunflower seeds has heart-protective effects. It can lower the risk of blood pressure which is a major cause of heart attack and stroke. 

It’s rich in fiber which decreases the levels of LDL cholesterol. This protects the heart against cardiovascular disease and helps in lowering the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders. 

Also Read: How anger affects your heart. After reading this you will never be angry 

3. It can reduce the risk of Cancer

Sunflower seeds work in mystical ways. 

Emerging studies say they are very effective in preventing cancer. 

These nutty seeds have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Further, sunflower seeds are full of selenium. It’s an antioxidant that helps in preventing breast cancer. It inhibits the growth of tumour cells and decreases the size of the tumour. Further, these seeds stop the production of cancer cells and prevent metastasis. 

Sunflower seeds contain an array of antioxidants that aid in reducing oxidative stress. The nutrients in sunflower seeds have chemo-preventive properties. It helps repair DNA and slow down the progress of cancer cells. 

Consumption of these seeds also reduces the chances of colon cancer and prostate cancer.

Also Read: Overcome your fear of cancer recurrence

4. It improves your Immunity

As I already said, sunflower seeds are a great source of vitamins and minerals.

It contains Vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients increase your ability to fight off viruses. 

Zinc plays a vital role in strengthening the immune system and fighting inflammation. It helps the body maintain and develop immune cells. Zinc is a great antioxidant that fights off free radicals

Selenium plays a role in reducing inflammation. It helps fight infection and boosts immunity. Selenium deficiency has been associated with increased incidence, severity, or progression of viral infections. 

Vitamin E enhances the immune response and protects against infectious diseases. In addition, it is a powerful antioxidant that prevents damage from free radicals.

Sunflower seeds protect the body against pathogens, diseases, and allergies.

Also Read: Eating Cashews can boost your immunity

5. It can bolster your Energy Levels

A handful of sunflower seeds can be your snack for instant energy.

Sunflower seeds are about 20% protein which helps boost your energy. 

But that’s not it!

It is also rich in Vitamin B and selenium which releases a pool of energy in the body.

Vitamin B1 helps you in converting food to energy. It helps in breaking down carbohydrates, protein, and fats. It further helps in muscle building. Selenium increases blood flow and delivers oxygen to your body. 

6. It’s the perfect food for your workouts. 

Also Read: Green gram juice – A natural energy drink

Sunflower seeds can boost your brain function

These nutty seeds are a great snack for your brain 

Sunflower seeds have a calming effect on the brain. It contains tryptophan which stimulates the production of serotonin. Serotonin relieves tension and creates a relaxing effect. 

This is very helpful for stressed and burnt professionals!

That’s not it! 

Sunflower seeds contain an abundance of vitamin B6. This vitamin plays an important role in improving mood, concentration, and memory. Regular consumption of these nutritious snacks is great for kids.

Also, Read Food for the brain: Ayurvedic Doctor reveals an ideal diet

7. Sunflower seeds are effective in weight loss

These magical seeds can help you lose weight. 

Firstly, they keep you satiated for long. These seeds are rich in protein and fibers that keep you full for long. This reduces your hunger pangs and keeps you from binging on junk.

Secondly, the rich content of magnesium detoxifies the body of toxins. It has potent antibacterial activity. This helps in killing bad germs, flushing toxins, and eliminating the accumulated fats. These seeds further help in relieving constipation.

Thirdly, it boosts your energy and improves your metabolism. This increases your endurance and productivity in the gym. Thus, further aiding in your weight loss.

      Also Read: Sprouts for weight loss

8. Sunflower seeds are a boon in pregnancy

In ancient times, older women fed these seeds to pregnant mothers in prenatal and postpartum care.

Sunflower seeds are super rich in folate or folic acid. This is an essential nutrient much needed during pregnancy. It is essential to prevent birth defects in the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

The choke-full of nutrients support the development of the unborn baby.

In addition, sunflower seeds bring a generous serving of iron. This is helpful in preventing anemia. The seeds also help in easing morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting which are common problems in pregnancy.

Sunflower seeds also have great benefits for breastfeeding mothers. 

Also Read: Delayed sleep timing during pregnancy and depression 

9. It’s great for your Skin

Sunflower seeds are a great aid to your skin.

Its antibacterial and antifungal activity prevents infections. 

Further, the oleic and linoleic acids in sunflower seeds help in the formation of collagen and elastin. This helps in speeding up wound healing and preventing the formation of scars.

This also helps in slowing down the process of aging!

Also Read: Amazing benefits of Multani Mitti for skin and hair

How to add sunflower seeds to your diet?

Sunflower seeds are rich in nutrients but are also high in calories. 

That’s why it’s important to consume it in the right amount.

You can take a quarter cup at a time. 

The seeds are usually inside the shell and you can eat them raw or by roasting. You can also eat it by adding in a variety of dishes. 

• Sprinkle the seeds on your salads or scrambled eggs or yoghurt.
• Toss a few seeds on your toast.
• Add it to your oatmeal.
• Sprinkle it over mixed vegetables.
• Grind the seeds and put it in your lemon and garlic juice. 
• Add it to your baked goods, smoothies and desserts. 

Caution!

• It’s high in calorie, excess consumption can cause weight gain. 
• Excess consumption may cause vomiting, stomach ache or constipation.
• Some people are allergic to sunflower seeds. It may cause vomiting, rashes, breathing problem, swelling or itching.
• Sunflower seeds contain cadmium. Too much of which is harmful to the kidneys.
• Although sunflower seeds are great in pregnancy, excess of it can be risky. 

Sunflower Seeds – A superfood for you!

Proper nutrition is very crucial for good health. 

Now, there are two kinds of people. 

One who doesn’t know this and lives in complete ignorance. They don’t bother to check for their nutritional requirements. Many suffer from nutritional deficiencies which hit badly in old age. From osteoporosis to arthritis to Alzheimer’s, chronic diseases occur due to nutritional deficiency.

The second kind is aware and they care to fulfill their nutritional quotient. But they fall for the big claims of the companies. Many people these days blindly pop the supplements and nutritional capsules. 

These are not only costly but you also don’t know if there is any hidden harm to them. The truth about medicine only comes years after you have used it. So, why take the risk when you can fulfill your requirements naturally?

For both these kinds, I advise adding simple natural foods to the diet.

Add diversity to your plate with a variety of seeds. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, lotus seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds are some of the most nutritious seeds. Add these to your diet as you like!

And I would love to hear your thoughts on the comments section!